U.S. patent number 5,617,664 [Application Number 08/517,428] was granted by the patent office on 1997-04-08 for recoil absorbing stabilizer for a weapon.
Invention is credited to Vincent F. Troncoso.
United States Patent |
5,617,664 |
Troncoso |
April 8, 1997 |
Recoil absorbing stabilizer for a weapon
Abstract
The improved stabilizer has a hollow elongated preferably
cylindrical housing with a central space extending the length
thereof to open opposite ends. An end cap closes one end of the
housing and bears a connector for attachment of the housing to a
weapon. The opposite end of the housing has an end cap rotatably
secured thereto to close the housing. The housing is filled with
oil or grease. First and second springs, preferably coiled springs,
are connected to the interior of the two end caps and to opposite
ends of a weight suspended in the space of the housing. An indexer
is provided on the rotatable end cap to indicate its rotated
position and to releasably hold it in that position. As the end cap
is rotated it increases or decreases, depending on its direction of
rotation and the extent of its rotation, the tension on the
springs, thus controlling their degree of resistance to
displacement of the weight during shock absorption. Therefore, the
degree of shock absorption is easily controlled by such rotation
for fine tuning the weapon.
Inventors: |
Troncoso; Vincent F. (Montrose,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
24059759 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/517,428 |
Filed: |
August 21, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/1.06;
124/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A
3/80 (20130101); F41B 5/1426 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
3/00 (20060101); F41B 5/00 (20060101); F41B
5/20 (20060101); F41A 3/80 (20060101); F41B
005/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;42/1.06,97 ;89/198
;124/89 ;482/46,121,128 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Carone; Michael J.
Assistant Examiner: Montgomery; Christopher K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nist; Donald E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved recoil absorbing stabilizer for a weapon, said
stabilizer comprising, in combination:
a) an elongated generally tubular housing having first and second
open opposite ends and an annular sidewall defining therewith a
central space extending the length of said housing and
communicating with said opposite ends;
b) a first end cap fixedly secured to said first end of said
housing to close said first opposite end;
c) means connected to said first end cap for releasably connecting
said housing to the exterior of a weapon in operative
recoil-absorbing position;
d) a second end cap rotatably secured to said second opposite end
to close said second opposite end;
e) a first spring connected to the interior of said first end cap
and extending into said space;
f) a second spring connected to the interior of said second end cap
and extending into said space;
g) a weight positioned in said space for longitudinal movement
therein, said weight having two opposite ends, one of which weight
ends is connected to said first spring and the other of which two
weight ends is connected to said second spring; and,
h) indexing means connected to said second end cap and to said
housing to selectively hold said second end cap in a selected
rotated position, whereby selective winding and unwinding of said
two springs by rotation of said second end cap varies the tension
on said two springs and their resistance to longitudinal
displacement of said weight for tunable recoil absorption by said
stabilizer.
2. The improved stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said indexing means
comprises a spring detent connected to the interior surface of said
second end cap and extending inwardly therefrom in said space and
contacting the adjacent interior surface of said sidewall and
wherein said sidewall adjacent surface includes a plurality of
spaced detent receptors disposed around said sidewall for
click-stop indexing.
3. The improved stabilizer of claim 2 wherein said indexing means
includes at least one mark disposed longitudinally of said housing
on the exterior of said second end cap to mark the rotated position
of said second end cap.
4. The improved stabilizer of claim 2 wherein said detent recptors
comprise openings in said adjacent sidewall.
5. The improved stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said housing is
generally cylindrical and wherein said springs are coiled springs
wound in the same direction.
6. The improved stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said space is filled
with a viscous, weight-movement resisting, shock absorbing
material.
7. The improved stabilizer of claim 6 wherein said viscous material
comprises one of grease and oil.
8. The improved stabilizer of claim 1 wherein the exterior of said
second end cap is knurled to facilitate rotation thereof and
wherein said weight is elongated and positioned longitudinally in
said space.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to stabilizers and more
particularly to an improved hydraulic-type stabilizer for a
weapon.
2. Prior Art
Various types of stabilizers have beer used on guns and archery
bows, both longbows and crossbows. Most of such stabilizers merely
comprise weights which are added to the frame of the weapon and may
project outwardly therefrom in a preselected direction. Such
stabilizers are used to dampen recoil when the shot is fired by
increasing the effective weight of the weapon, thus permitting the
use of more highly powered weapons without discomfort to the
shooter. Archery longbows have used single or multiple stabilizers
having rubber gaskets connecting long weight rods to the bow frame.
Handguns and the like generally use short projecting weights.
Difficulties are encountered when stabilizers for guns and archery
bows are used. In the case of archery longbows, it is critical that
proper clearance be afforded for an arrow being shot from the bow
so that the arrow point, shaft and rear vanes do not strike the bow
and cause the arrow to fly off line and miss the target. Moreover,
arrow flight is also affected at the moment of release of the arrow
from the bow by the manner of interaction between the archer's
torque on the string and the extent and direction of bow
recoil.
Fine tuning of the bow is required for optimal shooting results. In
the past this has meant, when stabilizers are used, the
substitution of one stabilizer for another until the desired
results are obtained. Alternatively, the stabilizer has had to be
removed from the bow so that one or more parts thereof such as
rubber connectors of various stiffnesses could be substituted. This
has represented much monetary expense for multiple parts, much bow
down-time for repairs and reassembly of stabilizers, etc.
In the case of guns, a similar problem has arisen when stabilizers
have been added to the guns. This is particularly the case for
automatic or semi-automatic handguns. Excessive recoil shock
absorption in such guns results in unused cartridges not being fed
properly into the firing chamber and used cartridges not being
ejected properly. So-called "stove-piping" frequently occurs. This
is a situation where the used cartridge casing is trapped by the
recoiling gun slide before it can fully exit the gun. Firing of the
next unused cartrdige cannot then occur. Instead, the shooter must
pull out the hot used cartridge casing before firing can
recommence. If a stabilizer is being used and is the cause, of the
difficulty, it must be removed from the gun and another stabilizer
must be substituted or the stabilizer must be left off of the
gun.
In view of the foregoing difficulties, it would be highly
desireable to be able to provide an improved stabilizer which could
be easily and rapidly adjusted while on the weapon to change its
shock absorbing characteristics in a controlled way, without
substituting components. Such stabilizer should be utilizable for
both archery bows and guns and should be simple, durable,
inexpensive and highly efficient, with a capability of being
accurately and reproducably set for maximum effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improved stabilizer of the present invention satisfies all the
foregoing needs. Thus, the stabilizer is simple, inexpensive, easy
to adjust while on the weapon, can easily control the shock
absorbability of the stabilzer over a wide range, and is durable.
It does not require the substitution of parts is equally efficient
on both archery bows and guns. It can be made in a wide range of
sizes and shapes to suit individual needs.
The improved stabilizer is substantially as set forth in the
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE. Thus, it is of the hydraulic type. It
comprises an elongated housing, preferably cylindrical, although it
could be other shapes. The housing can be made of metal, plastic,
etc. and has an annular sidewall which defines the housing in the
form of a tubular configuration with open opposite ends and a
central space extending the length of the housing and in
communication with the open opposite ends.
One opposite end is closed by an end cap or plug bearing a
connector for releasable attachment of the housing to the frame of
an archery bow or gun. The opposite housing end is closed by a
rotatable cap. Preferably, the space in the housing is filled with
a viscous shock-absorbing material such as oil or grease.
To the end caps are connected first and second springs, preferably
coiled, with one spring per cap. Each spring extends into the
housing space and the two springs are connected to opposite ends of
a weight or piston in the space and aligned for longitudinal
movement in the space to absorb recoil shock.
When the rotatable end cap is rotated, the tension on the two
springs is either decreased or increased, depending on the
direction of rotation of that cap. The cap bears indexing means
which releasably hold the cap in any desired rotated position and
which indicate the location of that position. In one embodiment,
the indexing means comprises a spring connected to the rotatable
end cap and releasably moveable into and out of a spaced series of
notches or openings disposed in a ring at the adjacent end of the
sidwall. A mark on the end cap enables the user to determine the
rotated position of the end cap.
Accordingly, while the stabilizer is in place on the weapon the
weapon can be shot and then the stabilizer end cap can be rotated
to increase or decrease, as needed, the shock-absorbing effect of
the stabilizer in order to fine tune the weapon.
Various other aspects of the improved stabilizer of the present
invention are set forth in the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken away, of one
embodiment of a stabilizer of the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken away, of a
second embodiment of a stabilizer of the prior art;
FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken away, of a
preferred embodiment of the improved stabilizer of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken away, of the
stabilizer of FIG. 3, showing the connection of a spring detent
with the rotatable end cap and also showing a housing notch, the
spring detent and notch comprising indexing means;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary side elevation showing
the detent and housing notches of the stabilizer of FIG. 4;
and,
FIG. 6 is a schematic end view of the stabilizer of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Prior Art of FIGS. 1 and 2
Now referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings,
two versions of conventional hydraulic-type weapon stabilizers are
displayed therein schematically. In FIG. 1, a stabilizer 10 is
shown which comprises an open ended cylindrical tube 12 having end
caps 14 and 16 permanently and immoveably fixed thereto to seal off
tube 12. Tube 12 defines with end caps 14 and 16 a central space 18
extending the length of tube 12, in which space 18 are disposed two
leaf springs 20 and 22 connected at one end thereof to,
respectively, end caps 14 and 16. The opposite ends of springs 20
and 22 are connected, to a piston or weight 24 centrally positioned
in space 18, the remainder of which is filled with hydraulic oil
26. A screw connector 28 is attached to the exterior of end cap 14
for releasable attachment of stabilizer 10 to a weapon frame (not
shown).
Recoil in the weapon upon firing is dampened by the movement of
weight 24 against springs 20 and 22 and through the body of oil 26.
However, there is no means for adjusting the recoil absorbing
ability of stabilizer 10.
Stabilizer 10a is substantially identical to stabilizer 10 and the
components thereof bear the same numerals but are succeeded by the
letter "a". The only difference between stabilizers 10 and 10a is
that stabilizer 10a utilizes a pair of coiled springs 20a and 22a
instead of leaf springs 20 and 22. The effect is the same as for
stabilizer 10. Stabilizer 10a is also non-adjustable for recoil
absorbtability.
FIGS. 3-6
A preferred embodiment of the improved weapon stabilizer of the
present invention is schematically depicted in FIGS. 3-6. Thus,
stabilizer 30 is shown which comprises an elongated tubular housing
32 formed of an annular sidewall 34 defining a central space 36
extending the length of housing 32 to open opposite ends 38 and 40.
A first end cap 42 is permanently or releasably connected to
sidewall 34 at end 38 thereof to close off end 38. A second end cap
44 is rotatably secured to opposite end 40 to close it off.
End cap 42 is fitted with a connector 46 comprising a
longitudinally extending threaded bolt or screw 48 adapted to
releasably secure stabilizer 30 to the frame of a gun or archery
bow (not shown). End cap 44 includes indexing means 50 to
releasably hold end cap 44 in any desired rotated position against
end 40 and also to indicate the exact location of that rotated
position.
For such purposes, any suitable arrangement of components can be
used. Indexing means 50 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 comprises an
elongated spring detent 52 connected to the inner surface 54 of end
cap 44 and having spring biased contact with the adjacent inner
surface 56 of sidewall 34. The free end 58 of detent 52 is
generally spherical and adapted to releasably seat in recesses 60
spaced in a ring along said adjacent inner surface 56. This
arrangement provides end cap 44 with a click-stop capability. The
exterior surface 62 of end cap 44 preferably is knurled and
includes a longitudinally extending groove 64 or the like to
indicate the exact rotated position of end cap 44.
Stabilizer 30 also includes first and second coiled springs 66 and
68 extending longitudinally in space 36. Spring 66 is fixedly
connected at end 70 thereof to the inner surface 72 of end cap 42
while the opposite end 74 of spring 66 is fixedly connected to end
76 of a piston or weight 78 preferably elongated in shape and
preferably disposed about mid-way along the length of space 36.
Spring 68 is fixedly connected at one end thereof to inner surface
54 of end cap 44 out of contact with detent 52, while the opposite
end of spring 68 is fixedly connected to end 80 of weight 78, as
shown in FIG. 3.
Thus, springs 66 and 68 suspend weight 78 in space 36 for
longitudinal movement therein in response to recoil force
encountered by stabilizer 30 when the weapon to which it is
attached is shot. Preferably, space 36 is filled with a body 82 of
hydraulic oil or grease, most preferably the latter. Such body 82
resists to some extent the movement of weight 78 therethrough
during recoil upon shooting of the weapon.
It will be noted that coiled springs 66 and 68 are coiled in the
same direction, so that rotation of end cap 44 in one direction
winds up springs 66 and 68, increasing their resistance to recoil
movement of weight 78, while rotation of end cap 44 in the opposite
direction unwinds springs 66 and 68, decreasing their resistance to
recoil movement of weight 78.
Such winding and unwinding is precisely and reproducibly
controllable, enabling stabilizer 30 to be easily and simply
adjusted, without substitution of parts and while attached to the
weapon, to control the extent of recoil absorption by stabilizer
30, for precise control of the characteristics of the weapon during
recoil. This enables the gunner or archer to fine tune his or her
weapon simply and effectively for optimal shooting characteristics
and efficiency.
It will be understood that stabilizer 30 can be fabricated of any
suitable materials and in any suitable size and shape. Preferably,
tube 12 and end caps 42 and 44 are cylindrical. The decribed
indexing means 50 can, if desired, be attached to the exterior of
end cap 44 and sidewall 34 so that groove 64 or its equivalent can
be dispensed with, detent spring 52 then serving as the visual
indicator of the degree of rotation of end cap 44. Other
modifications, changes, alterations and additions are also
possible. All such modifications, changes, alterations and
additions as are within the scope of the appended claims form part
of the present invention.
PRIOR ART STATEMENT
A search of the prior art has not been made. The closest known
prior art is that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings and
discussed in the specification. Other stabilizers such as rubber
cushioned elongated weights have been used on archery bows and the
like but are not relevant to the present invention.
The present claimed invention is the first known to Applicant which
incorporates means for easily adjusting the shock absorbability of
the stabilizer without substituting components and while the
stabilizer is in place on the archery bow, gun or other weapon
needing shock absorption. This adjustability allows the user to
fine tune the archery bow or gun for maximum effectiveness.
In the case of an automatic handgun, this tunability is needed in
order to reduce recoil as much as possible for improved shooting
accuracy, but without impairing the ability of the gun to feed
unused cartridges and efficiently eject used cartridges. In the
case of archery bows, this tunability is needed to maximize arrow
clearance while providing minimum recoil, to improve arrow flight
and shooting accuracy.
It is believed that the present stabilizer which accomplishes all
the foregoing aims is clearly patentable.
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